The following is an extract from the annual report for the year 1844 which was published in January 1845. The report is amongst uncatalogued material at the Dorset History Centre (temporary reference number NG/HH/DO(C)/Accession 4898).

The Committee of Management of the Dorset County Hospital meet the Governors of that institution with feelings of increased gratitude and satisfaction at the close of its Fourth Year, having to report that by the blessing and favour of God upon its work of charity, its usefulness and prosperity have alike increased since the last Annual Meeting.

The practical benefits of the Hospital are shown in the following Abstract furnished by the House Surgeon.

Table of Patients Admitted and Discharged.

During the past Year.

From the com-mencement.

In Patients.

Out Patients.

In Patients.

Out Patients.

On the Books Jan. 1, 1844

27

79

Admitted

154

399

546

1227

181

478

546

1227

.

DISCHARGED.

Cured

84

227

289

644

Much Benefitted

44

129

136

322

At their own request have received some benefit

3

10

3

10

Incapable of further relief

7

6

18

6

Made Out-Patients

10

–

41

–

Made In-Patients

–

8

–

51

Improper Objects or otherwise disqualified

–

2

5

27

For non-attendance, most of whom proved to be cured

–

27

–

78

Absconded

1

–

3

2

Died

4

8

23

26

Total Discharged

153

417

518

1166

Remain on the books .

28

61

28

61

181

478

546

1227

Of the Admissions in the past Year, and from the commencement there have been

Household servants.

Accident cases.

Household servants.

Accident cases.

12

12

23

55

.

Besides these Cases, 734 Casual cases have been relieved during the last year, including tooth drawing, and trifling accidents, with such other matters as required immediate but not permanent attention. This has been found, especially when kept within due limits, an important part of the usefulness of such an Institution.

It will be found on comparison with former years that the proportion of those who have received much relief or cure, is above the average.

This is the more encouraging because with regard to the In-Patients though the daily average is considerably above that of any former year, the actual number of admissions is less than in 1843.*

The Committee have the great gratification of referring the Governors to the Annexed Abstract furnished by the Treasurer, from which it will appear that the Annual Subscriptions have increased nearly one tenth in amount; and that after deducting the Special Donations the expenditure of the year is less than its available Income by the Sum of £130. This favourable Balance however arises not wholly from Annual Subscriptions but from Casual and Incidental Sources; as well as from Diminished Expenditure, and would not have been nearly so large had the New Buildings been completed, and had the sum ordered to be paid been withdrawn from the Funded Property, which must be done during the present year.

The Committee again acknowledge the assiduous and unremitting attention of all the officers of the Institution; and the great economy which they have endeavoured to preserve in their respective departments. Of this the decrease in Expenditure of Medicine and Drugs, and the state of the Household Accounts, while increased benefits have been given, are sufficient proofs.

Another Pupil, Mr Pope, has been entered under the officers of the Hospital, and they have entered into arrangements with the Committee, by which the Hospital will derive whatever benefit the assistance of a Pupil can confer without any cost to the Institution.

Since the last General Meeting £670 has been added to the list of Donations to the Building Fund. This together with the Donations promised before that meeting, and the £150 then voted towards it, amount to upwards of £2800, leaving the sum of £700, still required to make up the £3500, at which the Committee estimated the cost of the New Buildings with their contingencies. The Buildings have been carried on upon the plans proposed, and are entirely covered in. The Earl of Shaftesbury has given free of all cost a considerable strip of land and house up in it immediately in front of the Hospital, which will be peculiarly valuable both to the appearance and comfort of the arrangements. And the Committee hope that they will now be able to execute the work for the sum formerly stated. A very favourable contract has been entered into with Mr. Goddard of Bridport, under the direction of Mr. Ferrey, and the works hitherto have been complete satisfaction to the Building Committee.

The Committee have also to acknowledge the Parochial Collections made on behalf of the Hospital by many Clergymen. These have amounted to the sum of £100 7s. 7d. but the Committee must ask forgiveness for entreating greater exertions as this is a considerable falling off from the collections of last year, instead of the increase they had hoped to see. There are however a larger number of Parishes in which collections have been made.

The Governors will be gratified to hear that two legacies have been left to the Institution, one of £100, by the late Rev. Nathaniel Templeman, the other of £500, by the late Lady Hill.

In conclusion, the Committee beg to remind the Governors that before the next Annual Meeting a large additional number of beds will be available; these the Committee will be only too happy to fill up as speedily as the increased Subscriptions and other means at their disposal, shall warrant them in so doing. But it must be again remembered that when the Buildings are paid for, the Interest of the £1500 voted for that purposes, will be no longer part of the Hospital Income–and the state of the Parochial Collections added to this, makes it incumbent on all friends of the Hospital to add to their thankfulness for past blessings, strenuous exertions for the obtaining such means as will give to it a permanent character. It is indeed true that the extension of the accommodation in the Hospital was necessary even without increasing the number of its inmates; but the Committee cannot bring themselves to believe that a body representing the County at large, which has supplied them with so large a proportion of the means necessary for the erection thus far of so admirable a building, will fail by further assistance, and exertion, and recommendation of its claims to the liberality of their friends to enable the Committee gradually to open all wards for the reception and succour and consolation of the poor and suffering with the walls of an Institution, upon which the Divine Favour has so uniformly and mercifully shone.

Arthur H. Dyke Acland, Chairman.

*223 In-Patients’ Tickets used, there having been 61 renewals.

FOURTH ANNIVERSARY MEETING HELD DORCHESTER, 7th JANUARY, 1845.

THE EARL OF ILCHESTER in the Chair.

The above Report was ordered to be printed and circulated. The Twelve Elected members of the Committee were appointed.

The Thanks of the Governors were voted to the Earl of Shaftesbury for his grant of Land in the front of the Hospital, and a Letter expressing the same was ordered to be sent to his lordship.

The Salary of the Matron was increased £5 per annum, as a mark of the sense of her Services, and in contemplation of the greater duties she will have to perform on the opening of the New Building.

The Cordial thanks of the Meeting were voted to the Right Honourable Chairman.